FLUORIDE INTAKE, DISTRIBUTION, AND BONE CONTENT IN DIABETIC RATS CONSUMING FLUORIDATED DRINKING-WATER

The aim of this study was to determine how metabolic and functional ch anges in diabetes affect the fluoride intake, distribution, and concen tration in bone tissue; and whether alterations in fluoride metabolism in diabetes may influence the severity of the disorder. Two groups of rats received 0 (C) or 10 ppm (F10) fluoride via drinking water for t hree weeks, ad libitum. Two other groups were treated with a single do se of streptozotocin to induce diabetes, and also received 0 (D) or 10 ppm fluoride (DF10). The quantity of fluoride consumed via water by t he DF10 animals was calculated daily and an equal amount was added to the drinking water of another group of non-diabetic animals (FF). In t he diabetic group (DF10) the intake of fluoride gradually increased, h yperglycemia was more severe, and renal hypertrophy was expressed less than in the diabetic group (D) which consumed deionized water. The fe moral fluoride concentration increased in proportion to fluoride intak e. The high fluoride intake of FF animals resulted, when compared to D F10 ones, in a further increase in the bone tissue and in relatively l ess elevation in plasma fluoride concentrations. It is concluded that (i) fluoride supply via drinking water may enhance the severity of dia betes in rats, and (ii) due to diabetic metabolic and functional imbal ance, the fluoride metabolism may also change.